scared.

Question
I rescued a piggy from a nursery where the kids dropped him alot so he was never out hes about 6 months old. He is very nervous so ive been hand feeding him veg to get him used to me but he runs as soon as i open the cage , he runs if i move an inch i cant hold him. IM worried he will run away or hurt himself. I just don't know how to approach this issue. Thank you

Answer
Not to worry. Your guinea pig is just displaying the same behavior they all do. These are 'flight' animals. They run from anything they perceive as danger. To a guinea pig everything is danger. Usually, once they are caught they settle down and relax.

If you are able to use a cloth of some sort to put over him when you try to pick him up it will be easier for you to handle him. If not, you are just going to have to herd him into a corner, then reach underneath him and lift him. By reaching underneath he won't feel quite so vulnerable as having a large hand hover over the top of him.

The bones are very delicate and can break easily. So don't grab around his rib cage and grip him hard. If you put one hand under his body and the other on top you have a 'guinea pig sandwich' and can lift him without putting excess pressure on his ribs, thus preventing injury.

Some are just more skittish than others. I've had many pigs that did just what yours is doing and behaving as though they were about to be eaten. Once in the arms they would settle down. Again, this is just part of their instinct and they can't seem to help it.

It's unfortunate that he was raised in an environment with small children. The best way for a small child to hold him is for an adult to handle the pig and have the child sitting on the floor with a towel on their lap. Then place the pig on the towel. That way there's no chance the child can drop him.  

Please don't feel that he doesn't like you or won't warm up to you. That's not the case. This is just normal guinea pig instinctual behavior....... to run. To him you are a giant just by the fact that he is so small in comparison. He will settle down once he feels safe in your arms.

If he doesn't settle down when you pick him up the best thing to do is wrap him in a towel or blanket with just his head sticking out. The wrapping makes him feel secure. Have patience and don't expect him to suddenly run right to you. Very few pigs do that, ever. But that doesn't mean they don't enjoy your company or want to be held.  

I'd also suggest you stop feeding him by hand. Get him in your lap first, then offer the treats. That way he will anticipate the goodies coming and be more willing to be held, knowing that's where he gets the treats.

I hope this helps you out. The most important thing is for you not to take his running away personally. Please keep me posted on how you're doing.